Procurement Support Officer (Apprenticeship)

About this job

Are you looking for a career where you can learn, grow and make a practical difference from day one? This apprenticeship is a great opportunity to start your journey in procurement, commercial services and contract management while gaining a recognised qualification and valuable workplace experience.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and organised Procurement Support Officer Apprentice to join our Corporate Procurement service.

Procurement is about helping the Council buy the goods, works and services it needs in a fair, transparent and effective way. This could include anything from everyday supplies to services that support local residents, communities and frontline teams.

You will support the team by helping to respond to procurement enquiries, manage requests, obtain quotes, support mini-competitions, process purchase orders and maintain accurate procurement and contract records. You will also help with reporting, research, supplier liaison, document management and general administration across the service.

You will be part of the Governance, Systems and Standards Team, supporting colleagues across the Council to access the right advice, information and support. You will gain experience of how public sector procurement works, how suppliers are engaged, how contracts are recorded and monitored, and how good procurement helps deliver value for money and better outcomes for residents.

This is an apprenticeship role, so you will not be expected to know everything on day one.

You will be supported by your manager, colleagues and training provider to develop your skills, confidence and understanding. Alongside your day-to-day work, you will complete learning activities linked to a relevant Level 3 or Level 4 Procurement and Supply Chain Apprenticeship.

This role is ideal for someone who wants to build a professional career, enjoys working with people, likes being organised and accurate, and is keen to learn how commercial decisions support public services.

Special requirements for this post

The successful candidate will be required to take part in and complete learning activities linked to the Level 3 or Level 4 Procurement and Supply Chain Apprenticeship. This may include attending training sessions, completing coursework, gathering workplace evidence, taking part in reviews and applying learning within the role.

You will need to be able to use Microsoft Office applications such as Outlook, Word and Excel, or be willing and able to learn how to use these and other digital systems confidently.

The role involves working with information, records and documents, so you will need to be accurate, organised and able to pay attention to detail. You will also need to handle information appropriately and follow Council policies and procedures, including those relating to procurement, data protection, information governance, equality and diversity, health and safety, records management and employee standards.

You will be expected to communicate professionally with colleagues, customers and suppliers. This means being polite, helpful, responsive and able to maintain confidentiality when dealing with information that is not publicly available.

You may also be asked to support procurement events, internal communications, reporting activity and general administrative duties. These duties will be appropriate to the level of the role and will support your apprenticeship development.

About you

You do not need previous procurement experience to apply. What matters most is your attitude, willingness to learn and interest in developing a career in procurement, commercial services, contract management or supply chain management.

You will be curious, reliable and motivated, with a positive approach to learning new skills. You will be comfortable asking questions, taking feedback and using what you learn to improve how you work.

You will enjoy helping people and providing a good service. You will be able to communicate clearly and professionally, whether speaking to colleagues, writing emails, responding to queries or working with suppliers. You will understand the importance of listening carefully, being respectful and following through on tasks.

You will be organised and able to manage your time well. You should be able to prioritise work, meet deadlines and keep accurate records, especially when dealing with purchase orders, documents, reports and procurement information.

You will have a positive approach to using technology and digital tools. You do not need to be an expert, but you should be confident using, or willing to quickly learn, systems such as Outlook, Word, Excel and other workplace applications.

You will work well as part of a team and be willing to support others. You will bring enthusiasm, professionalism and a commitment to doing things properly. If you are looking for an opportunity to learn a valuable profession, gain a recognised qualification and contribute to important Council services, we would like to hear from you.

About us

Barking & Dagenham is changing. It Starts Here. Think you know Barking and Dagenham? Think again. While this small corner of east London might have a reputation for needing development, scratch beneath the surface and you’ll find active communities and a place that consistently punches above its weight. The borough is changing – and changing for the better. And It Starts Here. Yes, the borough has its challenges. But it’s on the cusp of something exciting. With one of the youngest populations in the country, ambitions are high and rightly so. 98% of our schools are rated Good or Outstanding and every year more of our talented teenagers get into Russell Group Universities and hotly sought after apprenticeship schemes. We have award winning parks, centuries old manor houses full of relics and artifacts you can go and see, and the ruins of one of Anglo-Saxon England's most powerful and wealthiest religious sites. We’re even bringing beavers and white storks to the borough to help rewild the local landscape and boost biodiversity. Over the past few years, we’ve been working hard to improve how we deliver services and support our community. From tackling inequality to making sure our services are the best they can be, we’re focused on what matters most to local people. We’re creating the conditions for people to thrive - so everyone can enjoy a good quality of life, feel proud to call this place home, and be part of something bigger. #ItStartsHere - with our streets, our schools, our neighbourhoods. And with your application to join our determined team who are passionate about doing what’s best for the future of Barking and Dagenham. As an Investors in People Gold Award employer, we’re serious about supporting our staff. From flexible working, professional training and career development to wellbeing initiatives, we want our people to feel valued and supported in everything they do.

Additional Information

To be eligible for this apprenticeship, you must meet national apprenticeship funding rules and London Borough of Barking and Dagenham requirements.

You must:

have the right to work in the UK

be aged 16 or over by the apprenticeship start date

have been ordinarily resident in the UK for the three years immediately before the apprenticeship start date

spend at least 50% of your working hours in England throughout the apprenticeship, including any hybrid or remote working arrangements

be able to complete the full apprenticeship, including end-point assessment, within the agreed timeframe

live in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, as these vacancies are open to borough residents only

Please note that time spent in England on a temporary visa does not usually count towards the three-year residency requirement. EU or EEA nationals must hold settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. If you hold a visa, your immigration permission must cover the full apprenticeship, or you must be able to evidence an in-time application to extend it.

Apprenticeships must provide substantial new learning. You may not be eligible if you already hold a qualification at the same or a higher level in a similar subject area. The training provider will review your qualifications and experience before enrolment.

Borough care leavers who meet the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview.